How to Make Moving With Kids Stress Free

January 29, 2020 by 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on moving with kids.  There’s perhaps no bigger change in a child’s life than moving to a new home.  As a result, it’s extremely important for all parents to make sure their children are a part of the moving process.  Also, have a conversation with your kids about the reason for the move.  And, ask how the child feels about it.  It can make the entire process much easier.  

 

 

moving tips

 

 

Before the move, it can be very beneficial to involve your kids in planning for the move as early as possible.  Allowing your kids to choose their new bedrooms or how the room will be decorated gives them a feeling of control.  If your children contribute to the move early in the process, they may get excited about the move. 

Unfortunately, some parents may believe that not disclosing the news about the move will lessen the shock.  But, in reality keeping it a secret can make your children feel anxious.  It’s important to make a family effort to explore the new surrounding area together after the move.  This can help them become more familiar with their new neighborhood as well as find their new favorite places.       

 

                                                                                                                    

 

Most importantly, make an effort to show your children that although they’re in a new home, their lives haven’t changed.   Moving with kids doesn’t have to be a traumatic experience for the children.  This can include playing games as a family, going out to dinner on a particular night of the week, or a bedtime routine.  Keep some kind of consistency in your kids’ lives during a big life event.  It can be powerful for them. The infographic details some of the most effective ways you can help your children adjust to the process of moving.

Author bio: Kate Houston is Director of Client Services at Ward North American. She attended Minot State University and has more than 25 years of experience in the transportation and relocation industry. 

 

Filed Under: Organization

8 Effective Ways to Plan Your Busy Months

June 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

We all have those busy months when we just can’t seem to get enough done in a single day.  Between juggling a career, taking care of our family, and managing household duties, something always seems to get left behind.   With a little planning, maybe we can get everything done during our busiest months!   Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on effective ways to plan for your busy months and accomplish your goals:

 

ways to plan

 

 

Start With The Priorities

On the off chance that you get too busy to accomplish certain tasks each day or week, make sure that you focus on the priorities,  Is there a big party or project you need to focus on? Are there home maintenance tasks that must be taken care of? Consider what is most important and put those at the top of your list.

Don’t Do What Others Can

Whether you’re at home or at the office, you have a team ready and waiting to help you. Delegate smaller task to your tribe so that you can focus on tasks that only you can accomplish.

Multi-task Strategically

Take advantage of online shopping, automatic ordering, and special plans like a home warranty to take care of home maintenance while you are focusing on more important things.  As a result, you can get the house cleaned or focus on meal planning.  Furthermore, take advantage of having your groceries and other items delivered to your door.

Discover the Low Hanging Fruits

Another effective ways to plan tips is to consider the smaller tasks that you can take on while you’re taking a mental break from a big project. Did you know that cleaning actually helps clear your mind?  It gets those creative juices flowing.   If you’re starting to feel burned out on a single task, jump to a different task so you can refocus.

Avoid Distractions

Having the television playing in the background may seem like a great idea.  Or, some other background noise while you’re working.  However,  you’d be surprised at how many times your eyes drift over to the television.  It kills precious time that could have been spent finishing work. Consider what distracts you on a daily basis and eliminate it for your busy month.

 

planning tips

 

Reorganize Your Days

If you wake up each morning and seem to be dragging your feet, but you get your second wind at night, be sure to plan accordingly.  Just because you want to prioritize your tasks doesn’t mean they need to be the first items to be accomplished.  Tackle your priorities when you feel the most energized, and tackle the smaller tasks when you are low energy.

Consider Telecommuting

Many companies offer a number of days you can work from home or short periods of time to work remotely. Consider your options for working remotely.  Plan to stay at home and get those smaller tasks done.  You’ll get your work done ten-fold, plus you will save a ton of time by not having to travel to the office.

 

planning tips

 

Take It Easy On Yourself

The amount of time you spend beating yourself up because you didn’t get to cross item off your list could be spent focusing on other tasks.  Remember, you’re only human.  So, take a breath and focus on the day ahead.

 

We hope that you find our tips on effective ways to plan beneficial.

 

 

Filed Under: Organization Tagged With: , ,

6 Tips to Take the Stress Out of School Mornings

September 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment

 

how to eliminate school stress

 

Chaos can lead to a stressful morning.  Who needs to be stressed out at 8:00 am on school mornings.  I have found that organization is key to eliminating school morning stress.  As a result, I take preventive measures to ensure school mornings are pleasant.  Keeping the environment positive  takes the stress out of my mornings:

Pack lunches the night before – I have found that packing lunches before bed saves so much time.  I pack juice boxes, apples/bananas, and any other items that won’t get soggy at night.  Place the lunch box in the refrigerator.  That leaves making sandwiches in the morning.  Sip a cup of coffee or check out the news with your extra time.

Give kids their bath the night before –  Getting kids up on school mornings can be a major effort.  I know it is with my granddaughter.  So, I have found giving them a bath or having teens shower the night before eliminates struggles in the morning.  Having them brushing their teeth, washing their face and hands and getting dressed is so much easier.

Get clothes and essentials out the night before – Nothing causes more arguments in the morning than not being able to find shoes, disagreements on clothing and not being able to find book bags.  Gather shoes, book bags and anything else needed as well.  I line up the book bags/back packs and lunches so all they have to do is grab them on the way out the door.

Sign any papers the night before – Read and sign any papers and place them in the kid’s book bags the night before.

Distribute lunch money or fees the night before – Additionally, hand any money that needed for lunches, snacks or book fairs the night before.  I place the money in envelopes, and mark each with the teacher’s name.  I also include what the money is for and than place the envelopes in the book bags.

Warm the car on cold mornings – Having your kids complaining about being cold on school mornings is not the way you want them to start the day or you.  Having them toasty warm when they reach student drop off is the way to go.

These tips have worked great for me when I have my grandchildren on school days.  It leaves them with enough time to watch cartoons or play on their electronics before I have to shuffle them out the door.  And eliminates head aches and stress for me.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Organization, Parenting Tips Tagged With: , ,

13 Places You Can Donate Old Books

June 4, 2018 by 6 Comments

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on places to donate books.  If you have tons of books stashed in your basement or attic, this post is for you.  Especially, books that have been sitting in boxes collecting dust for years. If your children have outgrown many of their books, they can benefit others.  There are non-profit organizations that would love to have your used books.  Yes, they will send them to third world countries to under privileged children, Vietnam Vets and more.

 

 

places to donate books

 

 

 

Places to Donate Old Books:

 

  • Books for Soldiers – First, both Books for Soldiers and Operation Paperback connect volunteers directly with soldiers stationed overseas who have requested specific book titles or genres.  But, you are responsible for shipping the books overseas.  The average cost is approximately $20 per care package. Add in a few homemade cookies or letters, cards or pictures drawn by your kids.
  • Books for Africa  – Second, Books for Africa collects, sorts, ships, and distributes books to students of all ages in Africa with the goal of ending the book famine.  Children’s books are a perfect donation.
  • Kids Need to Read –  Fortunately, Kids Need to Read provides books to underfunded schools, libraries, and literacy programs across the United States.  The books provide reading opportunities for disadvantaged children.  Like new books are always welcome.
  • Donation Town –  Additionally, Donation Town helps charities and donors connect.  They pick-up your donations, and distribute them to charities in needs.  Just enter your zip code on the Donation Town website, and schedule a pickup. Pickup may not be available in all areas.
  • Day Care Centers – Contact your local day cares or After School Programs to see if they need books.
  • Vietnam Veterans of America –  Also, Vietnam Veterans of America is a non-profit organization committed to serving the needs of veterans.  Contact your local office for needs and pick-up.
  • Books to Prisons –  Next, volunteer-run nonprofits like Books Through Bars and Books to Prisoners connect your old books with incarcerated individuals across the country.  The program has hopes of fostering a love of reading behind bars and breaking the cycle of recidivism through education and empowerment.
  • Books Through Bars – In addition, Books Through Bars works to provide quality reading material to prisoners in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.  If you live in Pennsylvania or the surrounding area, this is a good charity to contact.
  • Women’s Shelters – Women’s Shelters always need donations.  As a result, contact your local Women’s or Men’s Shelters to see if they would like to receive old book donations.  Many Women’s Shelter’s have mothers who have their children with them.  So, they take children’s books too.
  • Goodwill – Next, Goodwill is one of my favorite stores.  I browse their book section to find books for my grandchildren.  I can always find a book or two for my thrift haul.  Most importantly, Goodwill provides job training, employment placement services, and other community-based programs.  The training helps people who have barriers preventing them from obtaining a job.
  • Salvation Army – Additionally, the Salvation Army is another one of my favorite thrift stores.  They have a great book section in their resell stores too.  Proceeds from their stores are used to fund Rehabilitation Centers.  The Rehabilitation Centers help people who are in the grips of addiction to find help, hope, and a second chance at life.
  • Habitat for Humanity – Habitat for Humanity has resell stores, so inquire as to whether they are in need of books.  Unfortunately, the Habitat for Humanity store that I visit always has a small selection of books. Donating could really help them out. Maybe your local store is in need too.
  • Local Libraries –   Last, most libraries have a Friends of the Library Society.  They accept Like New or Gently Used Books for fundraisers/resell for the local library.  So, contact your local library for information.

 

Finally, every charity needs certain types of books.  So,  you may have to donate to more than one organization to get rid of your entire stash.  Check with each charity to determine what their needs are before making a trip to drop the books off or arranging a pickup.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Organization Tagged With: , , ,